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I try to take a deep breath, but my lungs don’t cooperate. It’s as if fear paralyzes me, leaving me mute and unable to move.
Dean Alder steps aside and motions for me to enter the cabin, as if I’m an honored guest instead of a prisoner. The musty air inside the cabin is thick with death. The floorboards creak beneath my feet as I shuffle inside. Scott follows on my heels, closing the door behind us with a thud as he slides a locking bolt closed. Meanwhile, the dean flicks a switch.
A sickly light flickers, then flares to life, but it fails to push back the sinister shadows shifting and dancing in the corners of the room. My stomach churns as I look around. I want to run, but I can’t. I want to scream, but I don’t.
I want to disappear, but I’m truly here.
I feel like a mouse in a trap, waiting for the inevitable.
Dean Alder turns to me and smiles, his eyes gleaming with a sick kind of delight. “You’re not going anywhere. Not until I get what I want from you.” He leans in close, his breath hot on my neck. “I can’t wait for our games to begin.”
The threat hangs in the air, heavy and menacing. When a shudder runs through my body, he smiles. It’s the most terrifying sight I’ve ever seen.
My throat tightens until I can barely breathe. Trapped like a mouse in a maze, my heart pounds with the realization there’s little chance I’m getting out of this alive.
THIRTY
Zeb
Pain blinds me.My vision swims in and out of focus. Brady shouts my name.
He shakes me.
Slaps me.
I can’t focus on anything beyond the infinite agony pounding inside my chest. Well, that and breathing. Each breath is harder than the last.
I fade and slip away.
“You’re going to be okay.” Strain fills Brady’s voice.
Booker appears at my side and barks orders at the others. He rips open my shirt and quickly assesses my injury.
I gasp in agony as he presses his fingers to the bullet wound in my chest.
“His chest is filling up with blood. He needs a chest tube STAT.” Booker is calm, but his voice is determined. “Grab my bag in the back of the car.”
I can barely see through the pain fogging my head. Then something cold and sharp presses against my skin. I flinch as Booker inserts something between my ribs.
Fucking agony.
My lungs burn and I struggle for every shallow breath.
But—the pain ebbs as the tube relieves pressure in my chest. Air moves in and out of my lungs, easier than before.
“Where to?” Brady asks.
“We need to get him to a hospital.” Booker leans over me, his intense gaze never leaving my face as he works. “I’ve got you, brother. How are you feeling?”
“Like—shit.” Each breath robs me of strength, but it’s definitely getting easier to breathe.
“I’m on the phone with Skye.” The soft voice of Izzy sounds incredibly far away. “She says take him back toInsanity.”
“He needs a hospital.” Booker argues with Izzy.
“Skye says she’s closer and she’s prepping.”
The men help me to my feet and I lean heavily against Brady, who supports me as we make our way to the car. My toes drag against the blacktop.
